| Murray | Archibald James | | Lieutenant Colonel | MURRAY, ARCHIBALD JAMES, Lieutenant Colonel, was born 21 April, I860, son of Charles Murray, of Woodhouse, near Kingsclere, Hants, and of Anna, daughter of John Baker Graves, Puisne Judge of Ceylon. He was educated at Cheltenham College and Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the 27th Foot, as Second Lieutenant, 13 August 1879, becoming Lieutenant, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 1 July 1881. He was Adjutant, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 12 February 1886, to 14 December 1890, and was promoted to Captain 1 July 1887. Captain Murray served in the Zululaud Expedition of 1888. He was Adjutant, Militia, 15 December 1890 to 14 December 1895, and became Major 1 June, 1898; graduated at the Staff College in 1898. He served in South Africa, as DAAG, 9 October 1899, to 5 March, 1900; as AAG 6 March 1900 to 5 March 1901, taking part in the operations in Natal in 1899, including actions at Talana and Lombard's Kop, and in the Defence of Ladysmith, including the action of 6 January 1900. In the operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including the action at Lydenberg (5 to 8 September). Operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Zilikat's Nek. Operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River, including action at Ruidam. Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony in 1902. In command of 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (7 February to 31 May). Dangerously wounded (8 April, 1902). He was mentioned in Despatches by Sir G S White 2 December 1899, and 23 March, 1900 [London Gazette, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902]: received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Archibald James Murray, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in India, and the Insignia were presented by the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab 1 January 1902. He had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 29 Oct 1900 (Lieutenant Colonel, Staff Employment, 1902). He was AAG, Aldershot Army Corps, 3 November 1902 to 21 November 1905; became Colonel 29 October 1903; was created a CB in 1904; was Brigadier General, General Staff, Aldershot Army Corps, 22 November 1905, to 8 November 1907; was created a CVO in 1907; Director of Military Training, Headquarters of Army, 9 November 1907, to 30 June, 1912; was created a KCB in 1911; became Major General 13 July 1910. Sir A Murray was specially employed at the War Office from 1 July to 6 November 1912; was Inspector of Infantry 9 December 1912 to 31 January 1914; GOC, 2nd Division, Aldershot Command, 1 February to 4 August 1914. On the outbreak of the European War he became Temporary Lieutenant General and Chief of General Staff, British Expeditionary Force, 5 August 1914; was Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff (Temporary) 10 February to 26 September 1915; Chief of the Imperial General Staff 26 September to 22 December 1915; was promoted to Lieutenant General 28 October 1915; Temporary General 23 December 1915; General Officer Commanding, 1st Class, in 1916; Commander-in-Chief in Egypt 10 January 1916, to 28 June, 1917. Murray was created a KCMG in 1915, and a GCMG in 1917; was Grand Officier, Legion of Honour; Grand Cordon, White Eagle of Serbia; Grand Cordon of the Nile; Grand Officer, St Maurice and St Lazarus, Italy; Grand Cordon of the Sacred Treasure, Japan; GOC, Commanding Aldershot Division, 1 October 1917, to 14 November 1919. He was promoted to General on 25 August 1919. He married (first), in 1890, Caroline Helen (who died in 1910), eldest daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Baker Sweet, of Hillersdon, Tiverton, and they had one son, Captain Louis Gerald Murray, Gordon Highlanders. He married (secondly), Mildred Georgina, daughter of Colonel William Toke Dooner, of Ditton Place, near Maidstone, and of his wife, Augusta, fifth daughter of W P Metchim, of Petersham Lodge, Surrey.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
